DARREN CARROLL + DICKS SPORTING GOODS

May 23, 2024

    Photographer Darren Carroll has been working with Dick’s Sporting Goods for a dozen years now, shooting mostly golf but also a few other things as well. A few months back he headed to Florida to shoot the library of new Spring 2024 apparel & equipment releases that the company will use for out-of-home, point-of-sale and in-store imagery across its DSG and Golf Galaxy retail brands.

    “I remember the first time they contacted me about shooting this, they stressed that the most important thing to them were pictures that looked accurate—in other words, that didn’t look staged,” he says. “They told me, ‘We want you to shoot this the same way you shoot the U.S. Open for Sports Illustrated.’”

    Striving for that accuracy means not only using the same equipment and techniques—long prime lenses, fast cameras and very shallow depth-of-field—but also casting talent who knew how to swing a golf club. Potential models must have single-digit handicaps, and have a swing that doesn’t look amateurish. “Golf customers are savvy folks,” Darren adds. “When you’re spending upwards of $500 on a driver, seeing a picture of a guy swinging a club who obviously doesn’t know what he’s doing is going to be a turn-off. Why would you want to insult your audience’s intelligence? It's my job as the photographer to ensure that everything from the angle of the shot to the position of the clubhead to the posture of the model convey an accurate depiction of a competent golf swing.”

    Making accurate images is as much a reflection of the talent’s ability as it is the photographer’s approach, and Darren draws on his over twenty years of experience in the golf space (having gotten his start shooting for Sports Illustrated and Golf Digest) to inform a great deal about what a good swing—and therefore picture—should look like.

    Over the years the shoot has evolved from an action-only shot list to a combined action and lifestyle shoot, which Darren has embraced. “It’s a whole new set of challenges, and a completely different approach but I love it."

    “I appreciate the fact that the Dick’s creative team has the confidence in me to let me work in a different head space and not pigeon-hole me as just an action guy.” 

    Looking at this set of images from this year’s shoot, we think you’ll agree.

    see more of Darren's work here!

    ROLLING LOUD + LINCOLN DURHAM

    April 1, 2025
    ✨ Lincoln Durham - 3D Character Design + Animation - Rolling Loud Music Festival ✨ Lincoln Durham created this dynamic sizzle reel showcasing some of the 2D and 3D animations he developed for the Rolling Loud Music Festival across various cities, in collaboration with Zellus. These animations were primarily used for social media promotions and as NFTs to further engage festival fans. The original artwork, provided by an undisclosed artist, served as still illustrations that Lincoln brought to life by adding motion and sound. For the 3D scenes, he sculpted and rigged characters inspired by the 2D illustrations, using them as a foundation to build out a story line based on direction from Zellus. Lincoln’s ability to seamlessly blend 2D and 3D animation, along with his expertise in motion and sound design, brings energy and depth to every project. His work for Rolling Loud is just one example of how he transforms static illustrations into immersive, high-impact visuals. Looking to elevate your next project with dynamic animation? Consider Lincoln for your upcoming creative needs!

    ERICKSON SENIOR LIVING + AMY MIKLER

    March 25, 2025
    Capturing Life’s Best Moments with Amy Mikler For lifestyle photographer Amy Mikler , people will always be her favorite subjects. Among them, children and seniors hold a special place in her heart. “People will always be my favorite subjects, and kids and seniors are perhaps my two favorite people groups to work with. Possibly because they share some similar characteristics,” she shares. “I never know what they will say, they know how to enjoy life's simple pleasures, and often have a quirky fashion sense. They are also unapologetically honest and learn how to laugh at themselves, which keeps the set fresh and endlessly interesting.” Having grown up surrounded by vibrant, full-of-life relatives, Amy understands that aging doesn’t mean slowing down. A few years ago, she put this belief into action with a “golden years” test shoot, built around the idea that laughter is a lifelong necessity. The result? A high-energy, joy-filled session where seniors enthusiastically took on cannonballs, dancing, and even water fights. “I’m not sure who laughed more—me or them,” Amy recalls.

    BEATLES SUNDAY NIGHT + ERIC CASH

    March 18, 2025
    Weaving History and Storytelling into Every Brushstroke Eric Cash’s work is defined by meticulous attention to detail, a deep understanding of history and culture, and an ability to weave personal narratives into each piece. His art invites viewers to explore rich stories and unique visual experiences, blending technical expertise with a genuine passion for storytelling. With this approach, Eric brings a distinctive and thoughtful style to every project, making him a fantastic resource for original commercial work. The painting Sunday Night (60” x 48 1/2”) captures a typical American family watching the Beatles' first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964. The scene includes a mother, father, two girls (one visiting), and a younger brother, each with distinct characteristics that hint at their roles and reactions to the historic event. The visiting girl is holding a Meet the Beatles album and a Life magazine spread, while the brother is trying to filter out the girls' excitement with his hand over his ear. The father, uninterested, waits for "real talent" to appear, and the mother seems unsure, reflecting the general adult sentiment at the time. The artist draws from personal experience and memories, incorporating items like his mother's sewing basket and grandmother's tension lamp as personal Easter eggs within the painting. The TV guide and props, like Anacin and Kent cigarettes, help tell the dad’s story, with subtle nods to the 1964 cultural context. A Mercury mission headline is included in the background to tie in real-world events from that day.